Bosma: Pence should pardon deer rescue couple...

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma says Gov. Mike Pence should have pardoned a Connersville couple who rescued a deer and now face prosecution for harboring a wild animal.

Bosma said Thursday ``a gubernatorial pardon did seem to be in order'' for Jeff and Jennifer Counceller. They face 60 days in jail and a $500 fine if found guilty of keeping a wild animal.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources pressed charges against the couple after they rescued a fawn about three years ago. Pence said Wednesday he had scheduled a briefing by DNR officials but believe the agency acted impartially in upholding the state's law.